It seems that Jim Skeffington and his cohorts in the PawSox ownership team are suffering from a bit of buyer's remorse this week. Despite Skeffington et al.'s massive contributions to Gina Raimondo's gubernatorial campaign, it apparently wasn't enough to get the governor to fall for SkeffCo.'s first outrageous offer hook, line, and sinker.
In a delicious twist, Governor Gina Raimondo issued the following statement on Monday.
In a delicious twist, Governor Gina Raimondo issued the following statement on Monday.
"I would love it if the PawSox stayed in Rhode Island, and the idea of a multi-use stadium in downtown Providence is exciting. But it's my job to look out for Rhode Island taxpayers, and I take that job very seriously.
"From what I understand of the owners' initial proposal, it appears that Rhode Island taxpayers would pay most, if not all of the cost of building the new stadium, yet the owners would stand to receive all of the profits. That isn't fair for Rhode Islanders.
"We look forward to receiving much more information about alternative financial proposals, and I remain committed to working with Mayor Elorza, the Speaker, and the Senate President to evaluate whether we can find a framework with the team's owners that will benefit Rhode Island."
I've worked on a few political campaigns, and I can tell you this: the wording of this statement is the political equivalent of, "You've gotta be f***ing kidding me?!? If I want a second term as governor, I can't even begin to entertain the idea of this deal as even the most remote possibility." To add insult to SkeffCo's injury, Raimondo issued this statement IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR PITCH to the I-195 Redevelopment Commission!
While this statement offers a bit of hope, again the language is crafted in a very particular way. I find it disturbing that Gina's "commitment" is to, "...working with Mayor Elorza, the Speaker, and the Senate President," with no mention of the will of the people, which from my vantage point ranges from "No" to "Jumping Jesus in a Jam Jar! No effing way!"
It seems that SkeffCo's campaign contributions in the last election cycle didn't buy them the influence that they thought it did. More interestingly, Skeffington's Law firm, Edwards, Angell, Palmer &Dodge, prior to being swallowed up by international law firm Locke Lord, contributed over $13,000 dollars to then-treasurer now- governor Gina Raimondo. Caveat emptor!
While this statement offers a bit of hope, again the language is crafted in a very particular way. I find it disturbing that Gina's "commitment" is to, "...working with Mayor Elorza, the Speaker, and the Senate President," with no mention of the will of the people, which from my vantage point ranges from "No" to "Jumping Jesus in a Jam Jar! No effing way!"
It seems that SkeffCo's campaign contributions in the last election cycle didn't buy them the influence that they thought it did. More interestingly, Skeffington's Law firm, Edwards, Angell, Palmer &Dodge, prior to being swallowed up by international law firm Locke Lord, contributed over $13,000 dollars to then-treasurer now- governor Gina Raimondo. Caveat emptor!
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